Monroe County Soil & Water Conservation District (MCSWCD) hosted the 33rd annual Conservation Field Days from September 20 through 22 at Monroe County’s Ellison Park. The District welcomed 25 different instructors from 19 different conservation and environmental organizations and 12 schools for a total of 850 students educated, including three new schools that have never attended before.
Each year, in partnership with its sponsors, Monroe County Parks Department, Tompkins Community Bank, and Wegmans, the MCSWCD hosts fifth and sixth graders from local county schools to participate in a casual, outdoor fair-like event with one goal in mind – educating local students about the importance of environmental conservation, all while enjoying one of our county’s parks. This year featured new instructors from Finger Lakes Community College, Tinker Nature Center, Finger Lakes Institute, Cornell University, U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, and more instructing on topics ranging from vermicomposting to animal adaptations. They joined veteran instructors from the DEC, CCE, Rochester Museum & Science Center, and more.
Despite some pockets of heavier rain and some cooler temperatures, all three days were still held allowing students to experience the outdoors and engage with conservation and environmental professionals. MCSWCD looks forward to connecting this event with more schools and was glad to be able to host the first full event since the pandemic.
For more information, please contact the MCSWCD office at http://mcswcd@monroecounty.gov or 753-7380.
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